Promoting yourself

Part of being a successful FIT person is making sure others know about your abilities.

Case in point: Several years ago I met an American TV producer who has created successful projects about Japanese culture for the US/Japanese markets. I decided this was a relationship worth nurturing and made sure she was aware of my talents and willingness to help, if a situation should arise.

Well, it did, in a classic FIT way: Last night, I got an urgent call from her to come to a recording studio this morning to do some voiceovers for a major project her Japanese colleague is finishing. She said, "I know you've done voiceover work; we need someone at the studio at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow; can you help us out?" Although she had never heard samples of my work, she obviously must have felt that I was presenting myself the right way. Of course, I agreed to do the job.

She stressed to me that her colleague was an important person to know, and that she had already informed him I could play piano, as well. Because, she said, "you never know what might happen."

Lesson: Promote yourself and keep promoting yourself. Tokyo is a small town; once a door opens, particularly to a potential Japanese business connection, you may just find an excellent new client.